HAIL SATAN?

AXS Exclusive Interview: Axl Rose, Duff McKagen on Reunion Success

By: Vanessa Vallon Sep 6, 2016 at AXS
Up until now, the members of Guns N’ Roses have let the success of their massive reunion tour speak for itself. But Axl Rose and Duff McKagan are now sharing the back story of their historic revival. Back in July, the rockers sat down for an exclusive interview (and their first of the reunion stint) with the Brazilian television program "Fantástico" on Globo TV (GN'R will play multiple shows in Brazil from Nov. 11-Nov. 20).

Rose cites the Coachella festival, and it founder (Goldenvoice CEO) Paul Tollett, as the impetus for the band's reunion at the festival and eventual Not In This Lifetime World Tour: "Actually it had a lot to do with Paul Tollett of Coachella," he explains. "He started talking about it, it seemed real, so at that point I told my people that they could go ahead and start talking to people and see what's going on."

As discussions progressed, Rose reached out to guitarist Slash (whose number he had to get from his management): "I had called [Slash] and he was on tour or something, and then we set up when we were gonna see each other, and I think something happened to both of our plans and that didn't happen," he describes. "And then eventually in October, we got together and we had a dinner at my house. And then Duff and I went and hung out right after that."